Purchase “From Rav’s Desk” Q&A’s 3 Volumes WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Join Daily Halacha distribution list Sponsor an Episode Question: [Sunday, 5th Teves 5781] Should Chabad Chassidim recite Tachanun on Hei Teves?   Answer: In general, it is customary not to say Tachanun on a day on which […]

Lighting candles on Motzei Shabbos:[1] Some are accustomed to light more candles on Motzei Shabbos than they are accustomed to light during the regular weeknights. This is done in order to escort the Shabbos after its leave just as it is customary for one to escort the King upon him […]

Moving and destroying an oven:[1] A. The restriction: A person should not destroy an oven which he used for baking in order to make use of the space that the oven was in. One who does not adhere to this enters himself into grave danger.[2] [Many are accustomed to being […]

Eating Pareve food cooked in a meat pot with dairy dishes or vice versa:[1] *To note, that at times one may even eat a Pareve food that was cooked in a meat or dairy vessel together with actual meat/dairy, although it is beyond the scope of this article to delve […]

May women wear Tefillin?[1] Exemption:[2] Women are exempt from wearing Tefillin. The reason for this is because Tefillin is a time dependent positive command[3], as Shabbos and Yom Tov is not a time for Tefillin.[4] [Likewise, according to Kabala, the Mitzvah of Tefillin only applies to men, while women are […]

The Muktzah categories and their law: MMC”K-Muktzah Machmas Chisaron Kis:[1] Any vessel which is designated for a use which is forbidden on Shabbos, and one is particular not to use it for any other use, is defined as MMC”K and may never be moved on Shabbos in its regular way, […]

Question: What blessing should be recited upon eating plane date honey known as silan. Haeitz or Shehakol? And why after blessing should be recited, Borei Nefashos or Al Hapeiros?   Answer:               Shehakol and Borei Nefashos. Explanation: It is a clear ruling that the juice from a fruit receives the blessing […]

The custom of not leaving home and going to Shul after birth:[1] A. The original custom: It is an age old Jewish custom for women who are after birth to not leave their home for a period of four weeks from the birth[2], and to then enter a Shul [as […]

Sheasani Kiritzono-Should women say the blessing of Sheasani Kiritzono in the morning blessings? A. Background: Men are obligated to recite the blessing of “Shelo Asani Isha” each morning within their morning blessings.[1] Obviously, women are not to say this blessing and it is forbidden to do so.[2] The question however […]

Escorting and kissing the Sefer Torah when it is returned back to the Aron:[1] Standing:[2] It is an obligation upon everyone to stand while the Sefer Torah is being returned to the Aron. See Chapter 3 Halacha 5 for the full details of this matter! Escorting-The congregation:[3] It is a […]

A letter of the Rebbe Rayatz on the importance of studying Tanach:[1] To the directorship of the Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim, it is very painful that even the LD students do not have any knowledge in Scripture, and majority of them do not even know Chumash with Rashi. They have no […]

Setting the table for Melaveh Malka:[1] One is to always set up his meal table on Motzei Shabbos.[2] This is done in order to escort the Shabbos in its leave in an honorable manner, just as it was honored in its entrance.[3] How to set the table: It is to […]

Hagomel-Must a woman after birth recite Hagomel:[1] Women are obligated to say the blessing of Hagomel just like men. Accordingly, every woman after birth should say the blessing of Hagomel after she recovers from her birth.[2] [Practically, while this is the custom amongst Sephardim[3], the custom today amongst the vast […]

When did we stop sanctifying the new moon based on testimony?[1] The sanctification of the new moon based on testimony is dependent on the establishment of a set Beis Din [i.e. Sanhedrin] in Eretz Yisrael. It is not dependent at all on the establishment of the Temple, and hence for […]

Are Gentiles obligated to honor their parents?[1] Although Gentiles were not commanded in the laws of honoring and fearing their father and mother as part of the seven Noahide commands[2], nevertheless, they are practically obligated in showing some degree of reverence to their parents.[3] [Thus, it is forbidden for a […]

Is one obligated to wear Tefillin when saying Shema before Davening in order to fulfill the obligation of Shema? If one is reciting Shema prior to sunrise, prior to Davening, he may read Shema even if he is not yet wearing Tefillin.[1] If, however, one is reciting Shema after sunrise, […]

Question: I have an extension piece that I can add to my table when we have a lot of guests. If I’m only having guests during Shabbos day, can I add the extension piece to my table on Shabbos day or must I add it before Shabbos? To note, that […]

May one give a present on Shabbos or Yom Tov?[1] It is forbidden to give someone a present of any kind on Shabbos or Yom Tov.[2] Likewise, it is forbidden for the receiver to do an acquisition on a present on Shabbos.[3] Food and drink and other Shabbos needs:[4] It […]

Acting restrictions and laws Acting like a cripple:[1] [Talmud] An individual who acts like a cripple or like a blind person will not die until he becomes like such a person. [The Mefarshim, however, explain that this is a metaphor and is really in reference to a person who makes […]

Question: I have a fairly large following in social media I would like to know if it is morally and Halachically permitted for me to share photos and videos of the travesties that occurred in southern Israel on Simchas Torah. While some of these pictures are already available on regular […]

The laws of Kashrus relevant to Human blood & Unintentional consumption:[1] Human blood is not Biblically forbidden in consumption due to the blood prohibition.[2] Nevertheless, it is [Rabbinically] forbidden to drink visible human blood which has separated from a human body due to Maaras Ayin. Blood on food after biting:[3] […]

Hiring a nurse or caretaker for the old or ill-Male versus Female: Opposite gender-Male and female nurses:[1] It is permitted for a man who is sick to have a female caretaker. This applies even if the caretaker will need to perform intimate tasks, such as changing the person and helping […]

Covering the eyes upon saying Shema:[1] It is customary to place one’s hand over his face [i.e. both eyes[2]] upon reciting the first verse of Shema [until the words Baruch Sheim Kevod Malchuso Leolam Vaed[3]]. This is done so one does not look at anything else which can disturb his […]

Learning Torah on Shabbos-Importance and effectiveness:[1] The entire purpose of Shabbos: The entire reason for why god gave the Jewish people Shabbos and holidays is in order so they study Torah.[2] Throughout the week every person is busy working and they do not have time to [properly] study Torah Bekevius […]

 Must a guilty defendant pay for court expenses and litigation fees according to Halacha?[1] Fees involved in the initial Din Torah:[2] The losing party of a Din Torah is not required to reimburse the winning side for expenses involved. This applies even if he forced the winning party to […]

Hitting or Spanking one’s children-Rules and Regulations-Part 2 * Important Note: Whether spanking a child is a proper or useful tool in discipline of the children and the level that it should be discouraged is a widely debated subject amongst parents and educators. This article is no way coming to […]

Hitting or Spanking one’s children-Part 1-The allowance and age:[1] Small children: It is permitted for one to hit his small children for disciplinary measures. This applies even to [non-biological] children that are part of one’s household, such as an [adopted] orphan [or foster child].[2] Adult children? It is forbidden for […]

Question: [Sunday, 25th Marcheshvan, 5782] Is there any issue with my children getting dressed up for Halloween or going trick-or-treating in the neighborhood amongst Jewish families? Answer: One may not do so due to the prohibition of Darkei Emori, as well as due to it being originally a holiday of […]

Netilas Yadayim Shacharis-Passing the cup from the right hand to the left hand and vice versa: The below law will discuss the order of handing over the cup from one hand to the other when washing hands upon awakening. With which hand should one begin the washing? Should one hand […]

Washing dishes on Shabbos:[1] It is permitted to wash dishes on Shabbos, for the need of Shabbos, such as if there still remains one meal for which one will need to use the utensils for eating, in which case it is permitted to wash them. If however one will not […]

Kemios & amulets in Halacha and Kabbalah: A. Background: Throughout Jewish history and Jewish literature the use of amulets, or Kemios, are discussed as a mystical and spiritual cure or protection against various issues and calamities.[1] The writing and production of such amulets had a fairly large market of consumers, with […]

Question: I would like to know if it is permitted during these times to recite Tehillim at night for the sake of all of the ill injured and captured citizens and soldiers?   Answer: Those who are accustomed to not recite Tehillim during nighttime, and so is the Chabad custom, […]

Autopsy in Jewish law:[1] It is Biblically forbidden for an autopsy to be performed onto a Jewish body.[2] This applies even if the autopsy is desired to be performed for the sake of advancement of medical science, and for possible use in preventing future deaths.[3] One must thus do all […]

Question: I am a Canadian citizen, and have the ability to receive a free flight from Israel for my family in order to escape the war. I would like to know what is the proper approach that I should follow? On the one hand, I and my family definitely would […]

Question: I always wondered if it is permitted for me to have a drink before I say the morning blessings. I’m not necessarily referring to having a coffee but rather to lets say have a drink of water or other beverage to quench my thirst and then say the blessing. […]

May one cry on Shabbos? One who receives pleasure from crying, may cry on Shabbos.[1] Thus, one may cry out of feelings of yearning and Dveikus for Hashem, such as occurs by those who Daven with concentration.[2] Furthermore, if one is saddened by a certain matter, and by crying over […]

Question: I hired a local fix-it man to fix a broken door in my home. I never heard of him before but was desperate to find someone to fix it being that it was basically locked shut with an inability to open, and we needed to have access to the […]

Zugos-Avoiding eating or drinking an even number of foods or beverages:[1] According to the Talmud[2], one is to avoid eating an even number of food or drink but is rather to only eat an odd number of foods. This is due to worry of demons and damaging spirits.[3] Nonetheless, a […]

Question: I was playing cards [the deck with the Joker and Ace King etc.] with a group of friends and was told that it is forbidden for one to play with these type of cards due to being considered similar to idolatry, and that we are very careful to avoid […]

Limits in what a parent can instruct their children-Not to overburden one’s child with demands and to be forgiving of one’s respect:[1] It is forbidden for a parent to overburden his children with demands and to be overparticular with their respect towards him, in order so he does not cause […]

Question: I and a number of other women whom I know have been asked if we could help tie Tzitzis to Tallis Katans for the sake of sending them to soldiers on the front. They say they are in desperate need of people to tie it, and if we don’t […]

Important laws to remember for Mivtzaim: *Below is a very brief sketch of the background and some of the important reminders necessary during Mivtza Tefillin. For further Halachic information, one is to refer to the previous chapters, each according to its subject. The times:[1] For purposes of Mivtzaim, one may […]

Question: We were in the midst of reading the Torah on Shabbos when a siren went off. We all ran to the bomb shelter. What is the proper procedure from there and onward when we return.   Answer: After the threat has passed, the congregation is to return to the […]

Mivtzah Tefillin[1] 1. The history of the Rebbe’s Mivtza Tefillin campaign and its directives:[2] The Rebbe began his Tefillin campaign in the year 1967, a few days prior to the six-day war. The Rebbe dedicated a talk on that Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar for this Mivtza, and it was spread to […]

Question: [Sunday, 24th Tishreiy, 5784] Due to the major terrorist attacks and barrage of missiles that have occurred throughout in Israel over Shabbos I am receiving WhatsApp messages from relatives in the USA who are worried sick and asking as to my well-being and as to that of my family. […]

May one leave the news playing on a radio, phone, or computer, into Shabbos during times of war?[1] The general rule: Some Poskim[2] rule that there involves no prohibition in leaving the radio on into Shabbos, or having a timer activate it on Shabbos. However the majority of Poskim[3] have […]

What to do if you hear an air raid siren in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei Question: I live in Israel and was in middle of Davening Shemoneh Esrei when an air raid siren went off. I immediately ran to the closest bomb shelter but was unsure what to do […]

The vengeance of a murder victim in Halacha: The unprecedented, horrific and harrowing pogrom on Simchas Torah, which has left over 1000 Jewish men women and children savagely murdered in cold blood by a barbaric inhumane enemy, has rightfully boiled the blood of anger and vengeance within Jews in the […]

Question: I heard that it’s forbidden or discouraged for one to wear clothing that was worn in the past by a gentile? Is this true? I would like to buy some secondhand clothing from a thrift shop which receives its clothing mainly from a Gentile clientele.   Answer:               There is […]

Endangering one’s life in order to help save the life of another: The Torah commands us not to stand idle while a fellow Jews blood is being spilled, as the verse states “Lo Samod Al Dam Reiacha.” Rather, one must do all in his capability to save the person’s life. […]

Question: I am livid over the news that has come out of Israel during Simchas Torah. I feel I need to do something to help and assist our brethren in Israel who are fighting for their very existence. As much as I want to do this to help for the […]

Should one eat Mezonos and say the blessing of Leisheiv Basukkah after shaking Lulav?[1] Some Chassidim are particular, based on an acclaimed oral[2] statement of the Rebbe to a certain individual Chassid during the Yom Tov meals, to eat a Kibeitza of Mezonos and say Leisheiv Basukkah after shaking the […]

Question: I have a job working in a grocery shop during the year and was asked to come in during Chol Hamoed, which is a regular workday. May I do so?   Answer:               Yes. It is permitted for you to continue to work as normal in a grocery shop over […]

Chapter 1: Melacha on Chol Hamoed 1. The importance of guarding the Moed: The Sages stated that one who belittles the Moed does not have a portion in the world to come and it is considered as if he has served idols. Hence, one must be very careful in the […]

The purpose of Chol Hamoed: Torah learning: The entire purpose of Chol Hamoed is for the sake of the Jewish people dedicating themselves towards Torah learning. Throughout the year we are involved in mundane work in efforts to sustain our family and contribute to society. The week of Chol Hamoed […]

Question: [Wednesday, 18th Nissan, 5781] Is it permitted for one to iron clothing during Chol Hamoed? Answer: Yes. Many Poskim rule that it is permitted for one to iron clothing on Chol Hamoed [for the sake of Chol Hamoed or Yom Tov]. However, some Poskim rule that the custom is […]

Question: When Yom Tov falls on Shabbos and Erev Sukkos is Erev Shabbos, when is one to bind the Lulav together, on Erev Yom Tov, Erev Shabbos, or keep them in the fridge and bind them Motzei Shabbos or Sunday morning?   Answer:               According to Chabad custom, it is to […]

Question: In the past I heard that if a person is careful to fulfill the mitzvah of dwelling in the Sukkah then this is a Segula for Shalom Bayis. Is this accurate?   Answer:               Yes, there is a source for this statement in the Yifei Laleiv who writes as follows: […]

Question: I do not have enough outdoor space to build a sukkah and will have to rely on people’s sukkah in the neighborhood. My question is whether I need to ask permission to enter their sukkah. Obviously if I plan on eating a meal with my family in their sukkah […]

Memorzing Ha’azinu Parshas Haazinu, is known as the “song of testimony”; the song that carries with it the testimony of the Jewish people’s observance of G-d’s commandments and the effects of the lack of this observance. There is an ancient tradition of memorizing the Song of Haazinu.[1] The verse[2] states, […]

Question: I am on a psychiatric pill which is required to be taken every single day at the same exact time for it to properly work. This is my first Yom Kippur on the pill and I would like to know what I am supposed to do on Yom Kippur […]

Taking the mini pill on Yom Kippur Question: With the Heter of a Rav I am on the mini pill which is required to be taken every single day at the same exact time for it to properly work and not cause disruptive spotting. This is my first Yom Kippur […]

Question: I was told that this year since Sukkos falls on Shabbos, we are therefore lenient in various laws of the Daled Minim, including that this year we do not have to be careful that the middle leaf, known as the Tiyomes, be completely closed on its top. Is this […]

Question: I met an individual who told me that he refuses to do Kaparos on chickens because he feels that the way it is done is cruel to the chickens, being that amongst other factors the slaughtering takes place in view of all the other chickens, and this causes unnecessary […]

Erev Yom Kippur Kaparos Buy two 24-hour candles. One for the shul for married men and one for the house for Havdala. Davening: No Tachanun/Avinu Malkeinu/Mizmor Lesoda in Shacharis No Avinu Malkeinu even if falls on Erev Shabbos Receive Lekach Ask forgiveness from people that you hurt Mitzvah to eat. […]

Question: Our Baal Tokeai did not make a really noticeable break between the Shevarim and Terua in the set of Tashrat, in the blowing that follows the reading of the Torah? Were these blows valid? To note, he claims that he did make a very slight break which perhaps us […]

Should Chassidim cry in their Rosh Hashanah prayers? Question: In some congregations I see that a lot of people cry during their prayer of the high holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I would like to know what the Chabad perspective is on the matter, as I have not really […]

Question: We are the only Orthodox family in our town and do not live near any Orthodox congregation for us to be able to do Hataras Nedarim. Can we do it amongst our family members, such as to have me the father and another two of my sons do the […]

Question: I know that in general it is forbidden for one to pray to God for his physical needs on Shabbos, and hence we don’t directly pray for the sick on Shabbos, and don’t pray for our livelihood. What about this year that Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos, does this […]

 Laws relevant to years that Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos: 1. Erev Rosh Hashanah: A. Blowing Shofar Erev Shabbos:[1]   One does not blow the Shofar on Erev Rosh Hashanah.[2] This applies beginning from the night of Erev Rosh Hashanah [the night of the 29th of Elul].[3] This applies […]

Question: I am a woman and recently bought a Shofar which I have been blowing for myself throughout the month of Elul. Am I allowed to also blow on Rosh Hashanah on behalf of myself and others, if I’m not able to make it a shul.   Answer: Although it […]

Question: I have what many would consider an addiction to chocolate and I have chocolate every single day. The specific brand of chocolate that I eat all contain hazelnuts to some degree. In previous years from Rosh Hashanah until after Simchas Torah I would simply by the chocolate flavor that […]

Question: I bought myself a prepackaged Esrog yesterday and found it to have a really large pimple like bump towards its lower half. Other than that it is a beautiful, clean, and yellow expert which is large and properly shaped. Is my Esrog still kosher?   Answer:               Yes, your Esrog […]

Shabbos Mevarchim Tishrei:[1] No blessing before Musaf:[2] On the Shabbos before Rosh Hashanah we do not bless the coming month despite this being the custom on every Shabbos that precedes Rosh Chodesh.[3] Tehillim:[4] The entire book of Tehillim is recited before Shacharis just as on any other Shabbos Mevarchim. Av […]

Question: I made a huge order of meat and chicken for the holiday season which was unable to all fit into my freezer so I asked my next-door neighbor if I can put some of my meat into their freezer to which they complied. They even came over to my […]

Selichos: A. On which days is Selichos recited?[1] Ashkenazim:[2] Selichos is recited for a minimum of four days prior to Rosh Hashanah.[3] Selichos is said starting from the Sunday [Motzei Shabbos, immediately after midnight[4]], of the week of, or the week prior to Rosh Hashanah. Being we need to say […]

Mezuzah on Store or office-Is a storefront or office obligated to have a Mezuzah and is a blessing to be recited?[1] Stores that are found in the marketplace are exempt from requiring a Mezuzah to be placed on their doorpost.[2] Temporary stores-Pop up shops, flee market, fare:[3] According to all […]

Question: Hi, I am in my later years and going on a Shidduch with an older man who became a Baal Teshuvah and was previously married to a Gentile woman with whom he had children. His children have since converted to orthodox Judaisim. I am wondering if I would require […]

Question: Is there any special order that should be followed when bathing the body? Answer:               Yes. When bathing one’s body one begins with washing his head, as the head is the king of all the limbs. One then washes his right hand first and only then proceeds to his left. […]

Question: I was reading my kids a bedtime story and accidentally fell asleep prior to Davening Maariv and woke up at five in the morning. May I still Daven Maariv?   Answer:               Since five in the morning in your locality is past Alos Hashachar but before sunrise, therefore you are […]

Reading Tikkunei Zohar in Chodesh Elul: Some have a custom to read the Tikkunei Zohar during Elul, one each of the 40 days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur.[1] They begin the reading on Rosh Chodesh Elul and complete it on Yom Kippur.[2] Some prints of Tikkunei Zohar contain […]

Question: I purchased a hand held lemon squeezer which is meant to squeeze fresh lemon juice from a lemon into salad? I know that on Shabbos it is permitted to squeeze juice directly into salad. My question is if I can use this handheld nonelectric lemon squeezer to do so? […]

The Rebbe’s position on smoking cigarettes:[1] Not to proclaim that it is prohibited to smoke: The Rebbe refused to personally come out with a proclamation or decree that smoking is forbidden according to Jewish law, and nor did he endorse such a proclamation by other rabbis. The Rebbe expressed several […]

Question: Someone in our neighborhood [a fellow Jew] publicized that they are selling their fridge. We contacted them and agreed upon the sale price although I explained to the seller that I don’t yet have the money to pay him and I will pay him the next month. He agreed […]

Question: I have a very demanding work schedule which often requires me to stay late at work and miss dinner at home. My wife is understanding but does not like the fact that on such nights I buy and eat dinner by my workplace and come home and not eat […]

Fleishig born eggs-Eggs found in a chicken after slaughtering:[1] While a chicken is alive, it is only permitted to eat eggs that are naturally laid by the chicken after the gestation period is complete. If, however, the egg was removed or knocked out of the live chicken, and was not […]

Question: My 10-year-old daughter won a raffle in her class for a very good quality metal thermos. There is a Keilim Mikveh right next door to her school building and she would like to know if she can Toivel it herself, or if she must give it to an adult […]

Fleishig eggs: A. Hardboiled eggs cooked with meat:[1] If an egg was cooked together with meat or poultry [i.e. Fleishig stew or Chulent] then the egg becomes Fleishig and it is forbidden to eat the egg with dairy. Furthermore, one must wait 6 hours after eating the egg prior to […]

Question: I am aware of the law and custom that when wishing someone farewell one should avoid using the term “Leich Beshalom” go with peace and should rather say “Leich Leshalom” go to peace. My question is regarding if one should also be careful in this when wishing their return […]

Accidentally ate a new fruit without saying Shehechiyanu-May Shehechiyanu still be said?[1] If one ate a new fruit without saying Shehechiyanu, then some Poskim[2] rule that Shehechiyanu may be said the next time he eats the fruit. Other Poskim[3], however, rule that Shehechiyanu may no longer be said and he […]

Question: Do I have to be careful to also cut my toenails on every Erev Shabbos, just as I cut my hand nails, and if so when do I have to cut them as I know we don’t cut both the hand and toenails on the same day?   Answer:               […]

Question: I have gentile friends and relatives and would like to know if there’s any issue with writing to them in the month of Elul the cordial blessing of Kesiva Vechasima Tova as we wish fellow Jews?   Answer:               Yes, you may do so, and so was done by the […]

Lending a rented or borrowed item to another:[1] *Important note: In all cases that the owner explicitly stated his desire vis a vis the item being used by another person, one must obey those desires, whatever they may be. The following Halacha refers to a case that no preconditions or […]